Bullbars Vs. Grille Guards: Which Is Best For You?
When it comes to seeking the best protection for your vehicle and passengers, you'll want to set up a ride with a tough-as-nails component. Now, this is where buyers are stuck between 4*4 bullbars and grille guards. Which one suits your vehicle the best? You'll be surprised to note the many differences between these seemingly similar protective components.
The Basics of a Bullbar
Frame
It has an A-shaped frame consisting of an outer tube and a horizontal, centre tube, or crossbar. The main tube stretches from your vehicle's underside and covers a portion of the grille and bumper, based on the model. Typically, they latch on to your vehicle's frame and offer excellent protection to your vehicle's centre portion. Bullbars are a popular choice for jeeps, SUVs, pickup trucks, and crossover vehicles.
Accessories
When it concerns accessories, they can include drilled holes for mounting round accessory lights or LED light bars. You'll even find bullbars that accept aftermarket lights and ones that come with a skid plate. The skid plate is attached to a lower portion of the frame and helps deflect the small road debris.
Purpose
4*4 bullbars perform several functions that make your off-road experience easier. While their primary purpose is to guard the vehicle components, bullbars also serve as a mounting platform for many off-road accessories.
The factors that will affect your choice between bullbars and grille bars are where you intend to drive the vehicle, the amount of off-road gear you carry, and accessories that you'll want to fit on the bar. All bullbars are manufactured using the highest standards and are appropriately designed and compatible with your vehicle's safety systems.
When it comes to design, bullbars must be chosen depending on your driving style. If you are driving in areas that report animal strikes, select a bar that offers protection to the cooling system, bonnet, and under-the-vehicle components. If you frequently drive on scrub and rocky terrain, bullbars must be compatible with your vehicle's rails and side steps.
The Basics of a Grille Guard
Frame
Grille guards have an H-shaped frame and are made of two vertical members termed as risers. They also have a centre and a horizontal member called a centre flange or a crossbar. The risers have mounting holes that attach the grille guard to the frame. Grille guards come with side brush guards attached to the risers, aiming to protect the vehicle's headlights. Like on a bullbar, the crossbar on grille guards can accept aftermarket lights.
Accessories
Grille guards can accommodate hitch mounting plates and LED light mounts that highlight the aesthetic of your vehicle.
Purpose
Grille guards do a decent job of protecting your vehicle's engine and radiator from impact and debris. However, you may have to spend a fortune on repairs after the accident. The guards are helpful if you drive in sparsely populated regions with a risk of wildlife on the road.
On the other hand, vehicles with grille guards are known to cause more pedestrian injuries than cars that are not equipped. Hence, they are certainly not recommended for urban driving.
If you drive an SUV or a truck and take frequent off-road trips, you need the right tool for protecting yourself and the vehicle from accidental damage. The terms bull bar and grille guards have gone beyond being products for protecting your vehicle's front side.
Bullbars, in particular, are available in a range of offerings, like 4*4 bullbars, to do a fantastic job of rescuing the front portion of your vehicle from damages. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on the areas you are looking to cover and the money you are willing to spend.
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